Child Safety Safety gear, reviewed for parents
Choosing a car seat, a cot or a stair gate is hard. Every box says "safe". This page tells you which Australian standard applies, what to avoid, and who has tested the product independently, so you can decide in minutes.
We don't take free products. Every claim links to who tested it.We do not test or rank products ourselves. We summarise the law and the independent testers: CREP crash tests, CHOICE lab tests, Red Nose safe-sleep advice and Kidsafe. Where a tester names top performers in public, we name them, with the test date.
Sources last checked 1 November 2026.
Three checks before you buy anything
- Is it recalled? Search the product at productsafety.gov.au/recalls.
- Does a mandatory standard apply? Car seats, cots, prams, bath aids, blind fittings, toppling furniture and button-battery products all have one. Each section below names it.
- Has someone independent tested it? Car seats: CREP. Nursery gear: CHOICE (most results are for members).
Before you buy second-hand
- Car seats: never one that has been in a crash, or is more than 10 years old. Look for an AS/NZS 1754 label from 2013 or later, all parts, and straps with no fraying. CREP
- Cots: the 2024 sleep products standard does not cover second-hand goods sold in Australia, so check the gaps and mattress fit yourself (see Cots). Safety Standard 2024, s 5
- Prams: check that the harness, brakes and tether strap all work, and that the model has not been recalled. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
- Everything: search the brand and model at productsafety.gov.au/recalls before you pay.
Car seats and capsules
The one product with public, independent crash-test stars for every seat. Use them.
Look for
- A label showing AS/NZS 1754, 2013 or later. CREP
- The right seat for the law: rear-facing to 6 months; rear or forward-facing with a built-in harness from 6 months to 4 years; harnessed seat or booster from 4 to 7. Adult belt from about 145 cm tall. CREP
- Rear-facing up to 30 months is recommended. CREP
- A professional fit at an authorised fitting station.
Avoid
Who tests it
CREP (Child Car Seats), run by Transport for NSW, the Transport Accident Commission, the Victorian Department of Transport and Kidsafe Australia, crash-tests seats and gives stars for protection and ease of use. childcarseats.com.au
New methods began in 2021; seats rated since then cannot be compared with older ratings. Ratings explained
The mandatory standard dates from 1978, last updated 2014; the ACCC consulted in late 2025 on moving it to the latest AS/NZS 1754. ACCC
CREP's highest protection scores, by type of seat
Highest protection stars in CREP's 2021-onward ratings, read 1 November 2026. Ease-of-use stars beside them. "Rated" is the month CREP added the result. Every seat CREP lists meets the Australian Standard; the stars compare them. Check the full list before you buy, as new ratings arrive.
| Seat | Protection | Ease of use | Rated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby capsules, rear-facing, birth to about 6 months | |||
| Mother's Choice Baby Capsule | 2.8 | 2.2 | Aug 2023 |
| Maxi-Cosi Mico 6 (seatbelt or ISOFix) | 2.8 | 1.9 | Feb 2024 |
| Rear-facing, birth to about 30 months | |||
| Britax Safe-N-Sound Safekeeper II | 4.3 | 2.4 | Feb 2023 |
| Britax Safe-N-Sound Quick Fix (seatbelt) | 4.2 | 3.5 | Aug 2021 |
| Britax Safe-N-Sound B-First ClickTight | 4.1 | 4.8 | Aug 2024 |
| Forward-facing with harness, 6 months to about 4 years | |||
| Britax Safe-N-Sound Guardian II | 4.0 | 2.4 | Dec 2022 |
| Britax Safe-N-Sound Compaq | 3.9 | 3.6 | May 2021 |
| Nuna Rava AU | 3.9 | 2.8 | May 2021 |
| Forward-facing with harness, 6 months to about 8 years | |||
| Britax Safe-N-Sound Maxi Guard | 3.9 | 3.3 | Feb 2024 |
| Booster seats, about 4 to 8 years | |||
| Mother's Choice Prime AP | 4.2 | 2.3 | Apr 2024 |
| Britax Safe-N-Sound Maxi Rider | 4.1 | 3.7 | Oct 2024 |
| Britax Safe-N-Sound Tourer | 4.1 | 3.3 | May 2024 |
| Joie Trillo | 4.1 | 2.9 | May 2024 |
Source: CREP, Find & compare child car seats, 2021-onward method. More stars is better. Models listed as variations of a tested seat are left out.
Cots and mattresses
A new law covers every cot, bassinet and infant sleep product sold new in Australia.
Look for
- Household cots meet AS/NZS 2172:2013; folding cots AS/NZS 2195:2010, under the Infant Sleep Products Safety Standard 2024 (from 19 July 2024, with an 18-month changeover). Safety Standard 2024
- A flat, firm sleep surface, sloping no more than 7 degrees. s 14, 16, 17
- A mattress within 20 mm of the cot sides and ends. Red Nose
- Cot rails 50 to 95 mm apart; cot away from the window and from blind cords. Kidsafe checklist
Avoid
- Sleep products with a harness, restraint or strap; the 2024 standard bans them. s 20
- Ribbons, cords or decorations on the cot. s 22
- Antique cots for sleep. They must carry "WARNING: this cot does not meet the mandatory safety standard." s 11
Who tests it
CHOICE tests cots for side height, mattress fit, head, limb and finger traps, sharp edges and footholds. CHOICE, 22 Aug 2024
CHOICE tests cot mattresses for firmness to AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 and has rated 55. CHOICE
CHOICE's named results are for members, so we don't repeat them.
Baby sleeping bags
No Australian standard covers them, so Red Nose's guidance is the one to follow.
Look for
- A fitted neck and armholes (or sleeves) that let the arms move freely. Red Nose
- No hood, and the right size for your baby's age and size. Red Nose
- A TOG that suits the room. Feel your baby's chest or back: warm, not hot or sweaty. Red Nose
- Once baby rolls, stop wrapping; arms-out sleeping bag instead. Red Nose
Avoid
Who tests it
We found no independent tests of sleeping bags. Red Nose names no brands; check a bag against its three points. Safe Sleep Advice Line 1300 998 698. Red Nose
Stair and safety gates
No Australian standard exists, and some gates on sale fail basic checks.
Look for
Avoid
- Trusting a label alone: "There's currently no Australian standard for safety gates." CHOICE
Who tests it
CHOICE tests strength, durability, projections and footholds with its own method. Of 21 gates listed, 3 did not pass its key safety requirements. CHOICE, 29 May 2026
Model names are for CHOICE members.
Cupboard and drawer locks
Cheap, quick to fit, and they buy you time. They are not a guarantee.
Look for
Avoid
Who tests it
We found no independent Australian test of cupboard locks.
Something swallowed? Poisons Information Centre, any hour: 13 11 26.
Furniture and TV anchors
Toppling furniture has killed at least 28 people in Australia since 2000, including 17 children under five. ACCC
Look for
- Every top-heavy or unstable piece (bookcases, chests of drawers, TVs) secured to the wall. Kidsafe checklist
- The toppling warning label. Since 4 May 2025 it is law on storage units and bookcases 686 mm or taller, and on entertainment units of any height. ACCC
Avoid
- Leaving anchoring for later: more than 900 Australians a year need medical help after furniture topples. ACCC
Who tests it
We found no independent Australian test of anchor kits. The ACCC's guide covers how to choose and fit them.
Window locks and guards
The aim: no window a child can open wider than a head.
Look for
- A secure window guard or stainless-steel mesh over the window. Kidsafe
- A device that stops the window opening 125 mm or more, holds against 250 newtons (about 25 kg) of push, and has a child-resistant release. That is the NSW definition. NSW Planning
- In NSW, strata buildings must already have devices limiting openings to less than 12.5 cm. NSW Government
Avoid
- Furniture or anything to climb on near windows and balconies. Kidsafe
- A cot under the window. Kidsafe checklist
- Unlocked balcony doors when the balcony isn't in use. Kidsafe
Who tests it
We found no independent Australian test of window locks. Use the NSW three-part test above to judge one.
Smoke alarms
Photoelectric and interconnected, so every alarm sounds when one does.
Look for
- Photoelectric alarms, marked AS 3786:2014 on the body. Qld Government
- Interconnected: every alarm in the home linked, so all sound together. Qld Government
- Tested regularly, battery changed at least once a year. Kidsafe
Avoid
- Alarms with an ionisation sensor. Queensland no longer allows them in homes. Qld Government
In Queensland, every home must have interconnected photoelectric alarms by 1 January 2027. Other states set their own rules; ask your fire service where to place them. Qld Government
Who tests it
The standard itself, AS 3786:2014, is the test to look for on the alarm. Qld Government
CHOICE calls photoelectric "the best type for homes, as recommended by most fire authorities", and says ionisation alarms should not be the only type in a home. CHOICE, 16 Jan 2026
Pool fencing and gate latches
The gate is the weak point. In Queensland home-pool drownings of children under five, a propped-open gate was the most common way in (28.3%). Franklin & Peden 2017
Look for
- A barrier to AS 1926.1-2012 and AS 1926.2-2007. WA Government
- At least 1.2 m high, gaps no more than 100 mm, 900 mm clear of anything to climb. WA Government
- A gate that swings outward, self-closes from any position and self-latches, with the release at least 1500 mm high. WA Government
- A barrier for portable pools and spas too, once they hold more than 30 cm of water. WA Government
Avoid
- Propping the gate open, ever. Franklin & Peden 2017
- Gates that no longer self-close properly; service the latch and hinges. WA Government
- Three-sided fencing that lets the house open onto the pool; four-sided fencing worked twice as well. Franklin & Peden 2017
Who tests it
Your local council. In WA, council inspects pool barriers at least every four years. WA Government
A fence is one of four actions; supervision is first. Royal Life Saving, Keep Watch
Bath seats, and why to skip them
Bath seats and rings are "baby bath aids". The law makes them carry a drowning warning.
If you use one anyway
- Keep baby within arm's reach, the whole bath. Safety Standard 2017, s 8
- Never leave baby in the care of other children. s 8
- Bath water about 38°C; bathroom hot water no hotter than 50°C. Kidsafe
Avoid
Treating a bath seat as something that keeps baby safe. The warning every bath aid must carry:
Who tests it
The mandatory standard covers only the warning label, not how safe the seat is. The ACCC reviewed the label rules in February and March 2026. ACCC
No tester rates a bath seat as safe to leave a baby in.
Baby monitors
Useful for hearing your baby. They do not prevent SIDS.
Look for
- Clear sound and picture from the far end of your home, and soft sounds picked up. CHOICE
- Cords out of a young child's reach, well away from the cot. Kidsafe checklist
- Follow the maker's distance from the cot. CHOICE
Avoid
- Buying a monitor to prevent SIDS. "There's no evidence that using a baby monitor will prevent SIDS." CHOICE The Red Nose six steps do.
Who tests it
CHOICE has rated and reviewed 39 monitors for sound, picture, range and interference. CHOICE, 3 Aug 2026
Model results are for CHOICE members.
Blind-cord cleats
One to two Australian children die from blind or curtain cords each year (ACCC, 2014). A cleat costs a few dollars. ACCC
Look for
- Cord cleats fixed at least 1,600 mm above the floor. ACCC
- Since 1 January 2015, blinds must be installed with no loose loop 220 mm or longer below 1,600 mm. Safety Standard 2014
- Cords secured out of reach, and away from the cot. Kidsafe checklist
Avoid
- Cots, beds or climbable furniture near any cord. Kidsafe checklist
Who tests it
No public product tests. The mandatory standard is the test: ask the installer to confirm it.
Button-battery-safe products
About 20 children a week go to emergency with a suspected swallowed or inserted button battery. CHOICE, citing Product Safety Australia
Look for
- A battery compartment that needs a tool, or two separate movements at once, to open. Mandatory since 22 June 2022. Qld Government
- Screws that stay in the cover when it opens, and the warning on the pack. CHOICE
- Remotes, calculators and musical cards kept out of reach. Kidsafe
Avoid
- Battery toys from online marketplaces without checking the compartment. CHOICE
Who tests it
CHOICE bought 24 children's toys from Shein, AliExpress, eBay and Amazon: 17 failed the mandatory button battery standards. CHOICE, 18 Nov 2025
High chairs
Falls are the main risk. A good harness, used every time, is the fix.
Look for
- A chair meeting AS 4684:2009 or the European EN 14988. CHOICE
- A five-point harness: shoulders, waist and crotch. CHOICE
- A crotch strap anchored close enough to the back that a child can't slip through one side. CHOICE
- A stable chair. Kidsafe checklist
Avoid
Who tests it
CHOICE has reviewed 34 high chairs. CHOICE, 22 Jan 2026
Model results are for CHOICE members.
Prams and strollers
The mandatory standard sets the basics: a tether strap and a red parking brake.
Look for
- A wrist tether strap, as short as practical, with any loop under 360 mm. Safety Standard, cl 7.10
- A red parking brake, set against a contrasting frame. cl 7.6
- Certification to AS/NZS 2088, ideally the 2013 or 2022 version. CHOICE
- A five-point harness. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Avoid
- Heavy bags on the handles; they can tip the pram. Use the basket. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
- Gaps that trap fingers, and frames without a child-resistant lock. CHOICE
Who tests it
CHOICE tests stability, traps, locks and brakes, and reports that "even some models over $1000 can fail our safety tests." CHOICE
Model results are for CHOICE members.
First aid kits
A kit helps only if you know how to use it. Pair it with a course.
A basic kit holds
- Triangular bandages, and crepe bandages of different widths
- Non-stick dressings, adhesive tape
- Disposable gloves, preferably non-latex
- A thermal blanket and a resuscitation mask or face shield
- Plastic bags, notepad and pencil
Avoid
- Out-of-date items. Check use-by dates, and restock after every use. Better Health
- A kit nobody can find. Keep it cool, dry, easy to reach, and tell everyone at home where it is. Better Health
Who tests it
No one rates home kits. The Better Health list above is the yardstick: check a ready-made kit against it.
A first aid course is "strongly recommended"; St John Ambulance runs them. Better Health Find more in our directory of help.
Sources
Every claim above links to one of these. Read 26 October to 1 November 2026.
- CREP, Child Car Seats: Find & compare, Ratings explained, Legal requirements, Is your seat still safe?
- ACCC, Limited review of the child restraint mandatory standard (Oct to Nov 2025)
- Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024 (F2024L00891)
- Consumer Goods (Baby Bath Aids) Safety Standard 2017 (F2017L01394); ACCC limited review, Feb to Mar 2026
- Consumer Product Safety Standard for Prams and Strollers (F2007L01895, compilation 14 Feb 2019)
- Blinds, curtains and window fittings Safety Standard 2014; ACCC mandatory standard, consumer guide, news 5 Aug 2014
- ACCC, Toppling furniture and televisions guide; news 5 May 2025
- Red Nose: Safe sleeping bags (updated 14 Oct 2026), Grandparents and safe sleeping, Safe sleep overview
- CHOICE buying guides: cots, cot mattresses, safety gates, high chairs, prams, baby monitors; button battery dangers (3 Nov 2020); media release 18 Nov 2025
- Kidsafe Australia, A Parent's Guide to Kidsafe Homes (Oct 2020), incl. home safety checklist
- Queensland Government: Smoke alarms; Button batteries
- NSW: Planning, Window safety (updated 27 Mar 2026); Window, deck and balcony safety in a rental property
- WA Government, Swimming pool and spa safety barrier requirements; Franklin & Peden, Improving pool fencing legislation in Queensland, IJERPH 2017; Royal Life Saving, Keep Watch
- CHOICE, How to buy the best smoke alarm (16 Jan 2026)
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (healthdirect), Prams and strollers (reviewed Mar 2024)
- Better Health Channel, First aid kits (reviewed 7 Jul 2025)
- Product Safety Australia, Recalls
See a mistake, or a test we missed? Tell us. All our sources: Sources.